Mechanics test mitt for internal combustion engines



April 21, 1959 E. v. GUALANO 2,882,531

MECHANICS TEsT MITT TOE INTERNAL coMBusTIoN ENGINES Filed Nov. 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

ATTCI RN EYE! April 21 1959 E. v. GUALANO 2,882,531

MECHANICS TEST MITT FOR LINTERNAI..r COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Nov. 5, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR ATTCI R N EYE MECHANICS TEST MITT FDR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Emil V. Gualano, Los Angeles, Calif. Application November 5, 1957, Serial No. 701,694

2 Claims. (Cl. 2-161) This invention relates to a mechanics test mitt for handling hot or live wires particularly around motor vehicle engines, and in particular a mitt formed to the curvature of a hand and having a relatively large hand receiving opening in the inner end and provided with gripping surfaces between the thumb and forenger and also having a flat surface on the back of the thumb to facilitate picking up tools and the like.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a protective mitten for mechanics and the like that is formed of relatively heavy material and shaped to the natural position of the hand so that it may readily be used for gripping tools, wires and the like without exing the body portion of the mitten.

Various types of comparatively thin gloves formed of rubber and other insulating materials have been provided for electricians but for currents from coils producing sparks such as in motor vehicle engines comparative ly heavy insulation is required not only at the nger tips but all around the hand. With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a mitt in the form of a shield that is preformed to the position in which it is used and into which a hand may readily be inserted and from which the hand may readily be removed.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide means for constructing a mechanics mitt whereby the glove may be of relatively heavy material and at the same time provide comfort and easy manipulation of the gripping elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a preformed mitt of insulating material in which wire gripping surfaces are provided between the thumb and foretnger.

A further object of the invention is to provide a comparatively heavy mitt to protect the hands of mechanics and the like which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a mitt having a body portion formed to correspond to the shape of a hand with a thumb stall having a at outer surface and with gripping ridges provided across the inner surface of the thumb stall and inner surface of part of the mitt in which the forenger is positioned.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mitten looking toward the edge on which the thumb stall is positioned;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the mitt in the position as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mitt looking toward the palm portion thereof;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the thumb stall taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the finger section of the mitt taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the improved preice formed protective mitt of this invention shows a nger section 10 with a thumb stall 11 and the finger section is provided with a wall 12 (Fig. 5) corresponding with the palm of the hand and an outer wall 13 is providing a covering for the back of the hand.

The body portion of the mitt is provided with an opening 14 through which a hand may be inserted in the mitt and a projection 15 may be provided at one side of the opening to protect the last joint of a thumb. The opening 14 has an arcuate portion 14a which extends up the outer wall 13 of the mitt so that when the mitt is positioned on the hand the wall 13 extends just over the knuckles.

The outer part or back of the thumb stall 11 is provided with a at surface 16 that extends from the tip 17 (Fig. 3) to a point 18 corresponding with the base of the thumb. This flat surface facilitates picking up tools and the like. The inner surface of the thumb stall is formed with a crease or ridge 19 dividing the inner sur face into an outer part 20 and an inner part 21. The thumb stall may also be provided with slight projections 22 and 23 to correspond with the knuckles or joints of the thumb.

The inner palm surface 12 is formed with projecting ridges 24 and 25, as shown in Fig. 2, and also a connecting ridge 26 (Fig. 3) which provides a valley or recess in which a wire may be gripped between the inner surface of the thumb and the part of the finger portion of the mitt corresponding with the forenger. The linger section of the mitt is provided with an inner wall 27, as shown in Fig. 5, and the inner projecting ridge 25 merges into a crease 28, as shown in Fig. 1.

With the parts arranged in this manner, the hand may readily be slipped into the mitt when it is desired to work around the electrical connections of a motor vehicle engine and particularly' for testing the spark, and the Wires or tools may readily be gripped between the ridges on the Surface of the forenger portion of the body part of that mitten and the coacting surfaces of the thumb whereby the wires may be positively held without danger of current passing through the hand.

The back portion of the mitt is cut away, as shown at 14a, providing a. wide opening in the end of the mitt to facilitate entry and release or withdrawal of the hand.

As previously stated, general use is for testing spark efficiency of automotive, aircraft and marine gasoline engines or any internal combustion engine equipped with an ignition system.

The mechanic applies the mitt to the hand to avoid high tension electrical ignition shock when testing coil or spark plug wires while the motor is in operation.

The user may maneuver the ignition wire to test and examine the color of spark, quicker and more eiiiciently without exposing himself to a high tension electrical ignition shock.

It will be noted that the body of the mitt is curved at the palm and back of fingers to provide a natural hand grasping position.

It will also be understood that although the mitten is shown for use on a right hand it may also be provided for the left hand.

It will be understood that modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A preformed insulated mitt for mechanics and the like comprising a body portion, a thumb stall and a finger portion, said thumb stall and finger portion being disposed in close adjacency to receive a wire therebetween and grip the same, the body portion having an extension to cover the wrist of the wearer adjacent the Patented Apr. 21, s

palm, a projection on one side of the body portion adx jacent the thumb stall to protect the last joint of the thumb of the wearer, the body portion being cut away on the back whereby the plane of the hand opening for the mitt is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect 5 to the longitudinal axis of the mitt so that when the mitt is disposed on a horizontal surface the, angular plane of the opening facilitates entry and removal of the hand.

References Cited in the le of this patent at` portion on the back side of the thumb stall.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Niebuhr Feb. 14, 1905 Finlay July 8, 1913 Sarvey Sept. 24, 1918 Holden Feb. 11, 1919 Gitt .v Mar. 7, 1933 Herbruck Apr. 7, 1936 

